Past In Review

By JACK R. WEBER Jr.

Saturday

Jan 12, 2019 at 12:01 AM

100 Years Ago (1919)

It was reported that Collins and Vaughn, the Columbus firm that had the contract for building of houses in Alliance for the government for the U.S. Housing Commission, had 89 houses underway with 16 nearly completed. All of the houses were to feature electric lights, furnaces in the basement for heating and water connections. The streets on which the dwellings were located were also to be paved once work was completed.

Loman A. Ball, a Civil War veteran who resided in Alliance for 18 years, died suddenly at his home in the 1300 block of South Linden Avenue at age 74 that he shared with his son and daughter-in-law. Upon returning home from a downtown meeting of the John C. Fremont Post No. 729 GAR, Ball stated he had hurried to catch a street car and was fatigued. Sitting in a large chair, he died a short time later of apparent heart trouble of which he had suffered for some years. A Hanoverton native who farmed in that vicinity and also conducted a hotel in that village for 10 years, Ball had served in the 32nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

75 Years Ago (1944)

It was reported that Sgt. Ignatius J. Gorak, a U.S. Marine from Alliance, was killed in action on Nov. 28. Gorak’s father, who lived in the 700 block of North Park Avenue, was informed of his son’s death on Christmas Eve. Gorak was a graduate of Bergholz High School.

Forrest D. Schwartz, whose parents lived in the 200 block of West Columbia Street, reported for duty with the Navy Department at Washington, D.C. A certified public accountant with Ernst and Ernst of Youngstown prior to his enlistment, Schwartz had received a commission as an ensign in the Naval Supply Corps.

Four Alliance men — Ray A. Soufts, 29, carpenter’s mate, third class; Charles Luca, 22, fireman, first class; Harold O. Todd, 21, fireman, first class; and William Zumbar, 35, fireman, first class —won early promotions in the Navy as a result of their civilian technical training and were given advancements upon completing recruit training.